Meet Switzerland’s goalscorer who almost missed the World Cup entirely | OneFootball

Ollie Whitmore, Chief football news reporter

When Swizterland’s national team jetted off to San Diego to compete at the 2026 World Cup, one seat on the plane was empty.

That seat belonged to Rennes striker Breel Embolo, whose hopes of competing at his second tournament in a row appeared to have been dashed eight days before it began on Thursday.

Embolo was left stranded in Switzerland while his teammates began their final preparations to try and make it past the round of 16 after they were beaten by England on penalties in Qatar four years ago.

Now, he’s just the second Swiss player ever to score at four separate major tournaments, after one of the countries’ best recent players in for Liverpool winger Xherdan Shaquiri.

Though Switzerland’s winning start on their sixth consecutive appearance at the World Cup finals was taken away in the 95th minute by Qatar’s Boualem Khouki, handing them a first ever point in the competition, it might’ve been the winner without Embolo.

Analysis: Embolo’s nightmare turns to dream start

The reason behind the 29-year-old’s peril was his permission to travel, handled by the United States’ Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), being placed under further review just before departing.

The delay related to an altercation in Basel dating back to 2018, two years after he had departed the club for Bundesliga side Schalke.

But his national team remained convinced that he would be able to compete. On their social media account, Switzerland players posed for a photo prior to take off that was captioned ‘One seat empty, but not for long. See you soon, Breel Embolo.’

It’s a continuation of the United States’ strict approach to visa processing and, by extension, their government’s immigration policy, which came under fire when Somali referee Omar Artan was barred entry on the grounds of suspected links to terror organizations.

As he had hoped, one of Murat Yakin’s key attacking outlets was then cleared to travel and reunited with his teammates last Friday and poetically was the difference in a game where fortune didn’t seem to be on Switzerland’s side.

Embolo created three big chances and almost turned provider on two occasions since converting his penalty, which in turn was made as Remo Freuler was fouled trying to get on the end of his header down into the six yard box.

A powerful striker with a powerful right foot, he also brings 87 international caps to the table and already has experience playing at the 2022 World Cup hosted by this evening’s opponents Qatar and had an excellent sense of awareness throughout.

As a matter of fact, with an average age of 30 years and 86 days the starting lineup fielded by Switzerland against Qatar is the oldest in the country’s history.

Other key figures include Manuel Akanji, Granit Xhaka, and Ricardo Rodriguez, who have all been to at least the past three World Cups, or the past four in the case of the latter two, embody the longevity that Switzerland’s talent is able to boast.

It is arguably the key ingredient to how they’ve managed to qualify for their sixth straight appearance at the tournament, yet is what makes the draw with Qatar all the more frustrating.

Dan Ndoye, who at 25 years old is one of the younger talents within the squad, had missed three chances before Ebolo – four years his senior – schooled him in how to make the most of your opportunities, albeit from the penalty spot.

But more importantly, Embolo’s contribution avoided what could have been a shock defeat for Switzerland in only their second ever meeting with Qatar.

A win for the former hosts would have maintained their 100% record across the two matches, having edged a tight friendly encounter by a goal to nil in Lograno eight years ago.

Embolo’s contribution is a silver lining to an otherwise disheartening day for one of Europe’s most consistent nations to take to a football pitch over the past quarter of a century.

What next for Switzerland?

Switzerland must now swiftly move on from conceding a deeply frustrating last minute equalizer before they face Bosnia & Herzegovina. With all teams drawing in their opening match, the race for the top two places and progression is completely open.

But things will ultimately be made much easier with the presence of their 25-goal strong striker, someone that Switzerland are incredibly grateful to have with them as they attempt to make it beyond the round of 16 for the first time since 1954.

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